Work and education goals often matter as much as romantic relationships
Core finding
Nearly half of Americans put work and education on the same footing as their romantic lives: 47% call these goals equally important as maintaining a romantic relationship, according to a May 2026 Verasight survey of 526 U.S. adults.
Beyond that plurality, more tilt toward work and education than away from it: 28% rate these goals more important than romance (including 12% much more important), versus 25% who rate them less important (including 8% much less).
Topline distribution
Work and education goals often matter as much as romantic relationships.
Compared to the goal of having or maintaining a romantic relationship, how important are work or education goals in your life?
n = 526 · May 11, 2026 · MoE ±4.6%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | May 11, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 526 |
| Margin of error | ±4.6% |
| Module | identity |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26
Compared to the goal of having or maintaining a romantic relationship, how important are work or education goals in your life?
Cite this question
Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=526 US adults age 18+, +/- 4.6%.